RI Sen. Reed blasts GOP cuts to food stamp program

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island U.S. Sen. Jack Reed says a push by House Republicans to cut nearly $4 billion a year from food stamps “isn’t just heartless, it is senseless.”

The cuts voted on Thursday amount to a 5 percent reduction to the nation’s main feeding program used by more than 1 in 7 Americans.

The bill’s savings would be achieved by allowing states to put broad new work requirements in place for many food stamp recipients and to test applicants for drugs. The bill also would end government waivers that have allowed able-bodied adults without dependents to receive food stamps indefinitely.

Reed says the GOP plan will not save money and will cause a spike in hunger, poverty and public health expenses.